Three-dimensional game board with apertures for advancing or regressing the progressof a game piece



W. RIVA THREE-DIMENSIONAL GAME BOARD WITH APERTURES FOR ADVANCING 0R REGRESSING THE PROGRESS OF A GAME PIECE Filed March 2, 1962 May 18, 1965 a m mm e h a Q W m M y F w a a 7 3 w w Iv W a w l i a w United States Patent 3,184 237 THREE-DIMENIONAL GAME BOA WITH APERTURES FUR ADVANCING OR RE- gglfigSING THE PROGRESS OF A GAME William Riva, 116 E. 95th St., New York, N.Y. Filed Mar. 2, 1962, Ser. No. 176,950 Claims. (Cl; 273134) This invention relates in general to a game apparatus, and more specifically to a novel game board.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel game board which will have a special and long lasting playing appeal for children, particularly those between the ages Another object is to provide a game board which forms the basis of a game which can be easily learned by small children, and which game is both interesting and enjoyable to them.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a game board on which there is simulated a piece of cheese, preferably Swiss" and which game may be played with simulated mouse-shaped game markers which are adapted to climb in, over and through the simulated cheese structure.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision that the game board is relatively simple in structure, inexpensive to manufacture, and positive in operation.

Gther features and advantages will be readily apparent when considered in view of the drawing and description in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the novel game board in accordance with this invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a detailed illustration of a game marker for use with the game board of FIG. 1.

Referring to the drawings there is shown in FIG. 1, the novel game board 10 of this invention. It comprises essentially a rectangularly shaped board 11 on which there is marked, or otherwise indicated segments 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 of a serpentine game path which leads to the games goal 22. While the indicated segments 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 of the game path may be painted, printed or otherwise marked on a plane surface of the board, it will be noted that such path segments can also be carved, grooved orotherwise formed in the plane of the board, if so desired. A plurality of counting stations 23 are spaced at regular intervals along the respective path segments 12, 14, 16, 18 and 2%. In the illustrated embodiment each counting station is identified as a footprint of a mouse.

Centrally mounted on the board 11 is -a hollow structure 24 which is intended to simulate a wedge of Swiss cheese. Preferably, the wedge structure 24 comprises a pair of upright side walls as, 28 angularly disposed and connected by a back wall 30. A top wall 32 completes the structure.

In accordance with this invention the surfaces of the simulated cheese wedge 24 have marked or otherwise indicated thereon other portions 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, and 35 of the game path which connect with the path segments 12, 14, 16, 18 and 20 of the board.

Thus the arrangement is such that one continuous and uninterrupted game path is formed that winds around, over and through the cheese wedge as will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, each wall surface 26, 28, 3t) and 32 of the cheese wedge is provided with holes to simulate a Swiss cheese; and the holes are spaced at inter vals along the respective game path indicated thereon. It will be noted that the holes in the upright wall surfaces of the cheese wedge define the respective counting stations in the path portions indicated thereon, and in the top surface, the holes together with the footprints serve to form the counting stations of the path portions thereon. Also it is to be noted that some of the holes 34 are larger than other holes 36.

In accordance with this invention the larger holes 34 are sized so that the game marker 37, shaped like a mouse, as shown in FIG. 7, can easily pass therethrough. The other or smaller holes 36 in the upright walls are sized so that only the head and shoulder portion of the mouse game marker 37 can be inserted, and thus cause the mouse marker 37 to become wedged therein should it land by chance in any of such small holes. The arrangement is such that in the process of proceeding towards the goal 22, the game piece 37 may be rendered self supporting when it lands in any of the smaller holes 36 in the upright walls of the cheese structure, as shown in FIG. 6. As best seen in FIGS. 2 to 6, means 38 are provided within the cheese structure 24 to form a plurality of channels 39 for connecting portions of the path on the cheese with segments of the path on the board. The means referred to comprises a dome of plastic formed by molding or the like. Formed in the surface dome 38 are a plurality of depressions or slides to define a plurality of channels 39. Accordingly, each channel 39 connects with a pair of the larger holes 34, one being an inlet hole 34a and the other an outlet hole 34b. The arrangement of the paired holes 34a, 34b is such that when the mouse marker 37 falls by chance into any of the inlet holes 34a of the paired holes, it will be discharged through corresponding discharge hole 34b of the paired holes, via the respective channel 39 interconnecting the paired holes. The arrangement of the respective pairs of holes with respect to the path segments on the board is such that the mouse marker 37 will be either advanced or regressed in its travel along the marked serpentine game path; or, ultimately, advanced to the winning goal position 22. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the goal position 22 is the last of the large size holes formed along the game path. In the illustrated embodiment the goal is shown as the king position. Also along the game path, penalty stations 40 may be provided for added interest. Suitable legends may be added alongside the penalty station 40 to indicate the penalty.

To facilitate packing and storing of the game board 11, the latter may be provided with fold lines F and F about which the end portions 11a and 11b of the board may be folded relative to the center portion 11c thereof.

As shown in FIG. 5, both the side walls 26, 28 of the cheese wedge 24 and the inner channel forming structure 38 are formed with laterally extending flanges 41 and 4-2, respectively. Thus it will be noted that each of the flanges 41, 42 are positioned in nested relation-ship and both are so mounted to the center portion of the board by sandwiching the flanges 41, 42 between upper and lower panels 43, 44 which define the center board portion 110, the upper panel 43 being provided with a cutout to receive the cheese wedge.

To play the game, each of several players place their markers 37 at the indicated starting position. Each player then successively, either by the throw of dice, turn of a spinner, or other chance device, advances his marker accordingly along the marked path toward the, goal 22; Should themouse marker 37 landin one of the small holes 36 in theside wall 26, 28 of the cheese, it is wedged therein until the next turn of the player; If the mouse lands in'one of the large, holes 34, it will drop thereinto and'be discharged from the cheese structure via one of the channels 39 so that themarker 37 either gains or loses ground along the path tofthegoal; depending on the'particular hole 34. v Preferably,'the holes 34 byv which ground is lost are marked ?danger. The holes 34 which advance the marker need not bemar'ked. The hole leading to the.

, yet positive in operation an-d'an'y number of players may enjoy the. game. While the game board has been illustrated for purposes of description in a mouse and cheese theme, it will be understood that the theme of the game may be changed without affecting the merits of :the invention.

: 'Variations and modifications may be inadewithout de-' parting from the spirit of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

.I claim:

being entrance holes and others exit holes, andvmeans disposed Within said structure to define a plurality of channels; for connecting at least one of said entrance holes with at least an exit hole so that a markerreceived in one of said entrance holes is discharged via one of said channels throu gh said exit hole for either advancing. or regressing said marker along said serpentine path.

4. A game device comprising a board having segments of a game path thereon; leading toa goal, a simulated threedimensional cheese wedge mounted on said board, said wedge including a' pairof angularly disposed vertical side walls, a connecting back wall, and a top wall, each 'of said walls'having marked thereon portions of the game path for linking with the path segments of said game board to define a line of'travel for the continuous advancements of a game marker toward a predetermined goal and a plurality of indicia of smaller steps along said path,"'the walls of said cheese wedge being formed with a plurality of holes spaced along the portions of said path marked thereon, some of 'said' holes being larger than others whereby the larger holes are adapted to receive a simulated mouse shaped game marker and other of said holes being siz'edto'per'mit only partial entry of a l. A game device comprising a board, a three dimen sional hollowf'structure mounted on said board, said I board and'connected structure having a game path Winding thereon about which a game marker is advanced by chance, saidhollow-structurehavinga plurality of holes marker therein, some of said larger holes being entrance ho'les'andothers exitholes, and a molded plastic dome disposed within said structure, said dome having formed connecting with an entrance hole and an exit hole. so that a: game marker received in one of said holes is discharged througlrthe other of saidholes viathe connecting channel therebetween formed insaid: dome for either chance adv'ancement or retreat of the marker along said game spaced along the path formed thereon anda pluralityof indicia of smaller steps along saidpath, some of said holes being larger than others wherein said larger holes are adapted to receive a game marker and said other holes being unable to receive said marker, some of said larger holes being entrance holes and others exit holes, means disposed wi-thin'said structure to define a channelwherethe outer surface thereof to form a continuation of 'said path, :said hollow structure having a .plurality of. holes formed inthe surfacethereof, said holesbeing spaced along the path defined by saidmarked indicia,'some of ,said holes being larger than others wherebysaid larger holes are adaptedto receivera marker and said other holes being unable to receive a marker, some'of said larger holes being entrance holes and others exit holes; and means disposed within said structure to define a plurality of channels, each of said channels connecting at least one of said entrance holes with one of said exit holes so i that a game marker dropped in one of said entranceholes is discharged via one of said channels through thefexit hole connected with said channel.

. a 3. A game device comprising a board having segments of a path leading to a goal, a three dimensional hollow structure mounted on said board, said structure having a plurality'of surfaces, said'surfaces having path portions for connecting the path segments of said board to ,de-

fine a continuous serpentine path, the surfaces of said path portions formed thereon, and a pluraltiy of indicia of smaller steps along said path, some of said holes being larger than others whereby said larger holes are adapted able to receive the game marker, some of said larger holes to receive a game marker and said other holes being unpath, and-one of said larger holes connecting with a channel leading. to theultimategoal. T 35 l 5. A; gamedevice comprising (a) a three-dimensional hollow game-structure, (b) a game path windingabout said structure, a said game path having a plurality of stations formed; thereon alongwhich a game marker is advanced by chance and a plurality of indicia of smaller'steps-along said ,path, (d) 'severalof said stations being formed for positively retaining the game piece thereon until the next chance to'advance isjhad, f 5 (e), other; of said stations being provided with an entrance hole adapted to receive said game marker in the event thelatterlands onsaid station by said chance, j a (f) exitholesalso disposed along said path,

('g)'means disposed within said. structure to define. a plurality of. channels, p V

w (h) each of said channels being operatively associated with at least one of said entrance holes and at least one of said exit holes whereby the marker received by any of said entrance holes is repositioned by Way of. the channel cooperatively associated therewith to an-exit station along said path.

References Cited bytheExaminer UNITED STATES PATENTS 907,421 12/08 Steinhardt et al. ,273l34 1,167,655 1/16 Passig I 273 1,596,947 8/26- Russell 273l20 1,604,846 10/26' Nelson. 1 2,451,196 10/48 Bruck 273,-134 2,940,760 6/60 Brinkman 273-l30 I FOREIGN PATENTS- 78,264 1/19 Austria. 403,761 1/34 Great. 'Br-itain.-

DELBERT B- LOWE, Primary Examiner; EvoN c. BLUNK, Examiner. 

5. A GAME DEVICE COMPRISING (A) A THREE-DIMENSIONAL HOLLOW GAME STRUCTURE, (B) A GAME PATH WINDING ABOUT SAID STRUCTURE, (C) SAID GAME PATH HAVING A PLURALITY OF STATIONS FORMED THEREON ALONG WHICH A GAME MARKER IS ADVANCED BY CHANCE AND A PLURALITY OF INDICIA OF SMALLER STEPS ALONG SAID PATH, (D) SEVERAL OF SAID STATIONS BEING FORMED FOR POSITIVELY RETAINING THE GAME PIECE THEREON UNTIL THE NEXT CHANCE TO ADVANCE IS HAD, 